Slow

Sorry for the slow blogging, but we've been busy having the best time with Adriana and Adam's brother, Ryan this weekend. Photos to come. And if you're wondering what we did today, here's a hint:

Just A Heads Up

Did you know July 30th is National Cheesecake Day? Head to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner Friday, and grab dessert for half price. Or have your husband stop by and grab dessert to go. Mmmmm. (Also if you're a fan on facebook you can get a deal for Thursday, too). My favorite by far is the Key Lime Cheesecake, but the new Red Velvet flavor looks sooo goood! What's your favorite?

And one more heads up - another season of Project Runway starts tomorrow night on Lifetime. It snuck up on me. Love that show.

Tonight

Here are my kids tonight. All nice and snuggly in their pjs after a day of swimming with Amber, Ashlyn, Leah and Brandon. (We have the best friends out here - we are so lucky). Tonight we walked down to Aroma to pick up some salads for dinner, then time for a little Princess and the Frog, and off to bed (followed by The Bachelorette for mom - trashy, but oh so good). Have I told you how much I love summer? I really do. It seems I can always justify a movie night in the summer. After a long day outside I say we deserve one.
Now in case you're wondering what I did with that produce I got from my in-laws, here's a little peek. Juiced beets, carrots, and lemons to my hearts content. The most beautiful juice you'll ever see:Too bad it was gross. I can swallow a lot of things in the name of health, and managed to gag this stuff down. (Glad I borrowed the juicer from Emily, because I'm not convinced it's my thing). I had about a ton and half of plums and made this when they started to go soft. Delicious! We used it to top waffles, oatmeal, and even spooned a little over vanilla ice-cream. It went great with this pancake recipe, too. As for my crazy huge squash, a couple friends sent me some good looking stuffed squash recipes so we'll be making those this week. And luckily I pawned one off on Michelle, and have sauteed the rest. This is the science experiment of having a garden, I suppose.

This was our Monday. How was yours?

Bestie

My Adriana is here! She's staying in Pasadena for five weeks rehearsing for a cruise ship gig. Am I lucky or what? Tonight we found the last movie theater in Los Angeles playing Sex and the City 2 (which is in Alhambra in case you're wondering). Now Sex and the City is near and dear to our hearts because we happened to be single girls living in New York City when it was a huge TV hit. We weren't gonna see the second movie because of all the bad reviews, but we caved. We went in with low expectations and it wasn't that bad. Bad... but not that bad. Mostly it was fun to see it together in a random theater neither of us will probably ever go back to. Adriana is rehearsing a lot, but we have a weekly date planned and will be spending weekends together. We'll be heading to Laguna Beach, Malibu, have tickets to see Harry Connick Jr. at the Hollywood Bowl (can't wait to see him live), doing some shopping, taking the kids to the Kidspace Children's Museum (my kids are in love with Adriana by the way - especially Audrey), and this Saturday we'll probably hit Santa Monica. Sooooo happy to have her here!

Big Morning

Today was the first day of music class. Wahoo! I have to say I think it went really well. I was nervous, but once I met my families (some I knew because they trained with me), and class started, I was fine. Better yet, I had fun. The kids were adorable, and at this point in my life this is a perfect fit for me. It's a combination of so many things I love, and the time commitment is small, (and it's nice to have a little extra $$). Part of my brain wants to over-analyze the morning, but the smarter me can recognize that I did it! I learned the guitar (which was huge for me, because it was really hard at first), I practiced my songs, and so far I've been able to juggle mommyhood and two crazy jobs (thanks to my fantastic babysitter - you have no idea how clean my house was, and how happy my kids were when I got home. She is amazing!). After class I had plenty of time to play with the kids outside. Here is what they wanted to do:

Audrey took care of her babies.

Tyler took care of his trucks.

I don't know if it looks fun or sad that my kids are digging in planters with their trucks instead of a backyard, but I'm gonna say FUN. Sure there are things about our living situation that aren't ideal, but guess what? My kids don't know the difference and Tyler had so much fun digging in this dirt, you would never think of finding him a yard. Leave it to kids to show you that quality is really what matters. The boy just wanted a little dirt, and a mom and sister to play with him. There you go. He got it.

Tonight I'm taking Tyler to karate (usually it's Adam), so that should be hilarious. I don't know a thing about martial arts. Guess Tyler will have to give me a lesson. Oh, and on another random side note I ordered a bathing suit and am sooo hoping I like it. (I pretty much return every suit I order online though, so my hopes aren't high). It's this one. Order from them now and enter Summer20 for 20% off. Don't you love that this time of year you can start getting discounts on swimsuits. Start shopping for next year (or the rest of this year if you live in LA).

New Book

Have you read this series yet? Ladybug Girl is a new favorite in our house. We have a few of the books, and loooove them. Tyler likes them, too, especially the one about Bumblebee Boy. I may have just figured out Audrey's Halloween costume.

Garden

Adam's parents have a beautiful garden in their backyard. We were there yesterday and it's so fun to watch the kids pick their own fruit and vegetables. There's even a couple pumpkins growing that will hopefully be perfect for carving in October. If I don't have my own backyard (or the patience and money to harvest my own garden), at least I can take advantage of theirs. Each visit they send us home with a ton of whatever is ready to be eaten. Right now in my fridge I have fresh green beans, loads of fresh plums (more than we will ever eat, so who wants to share?), carrots and beets (which I think I'm gonna juice this afternoon), and these crazy huge squash:
(All organic by the way). Now I think Adam's mom wanted to get rid of these things because somehow they ended up in my trunk. They're GINORMOUS. Who wants a king-size squash? And if you don't, please send me your favorite squash recipes because I'm about to scour the internet for a few. Saute them with some onions, salt and pepper is all I can come up off the top of my head. Roast them. Stuff them with wild rice or something? All suggestions welcome! And if you come over for dinner this week - we're having squash.

Guest Post

I am so happy to guest post over at Glass Posse. My friend Kage is hosting I Heart New York week and asked me to write a little something. Check it out here.

I Heart New York - A True Love Story

A lot of wonderful things happened to me in the four years I lived in the city. I got a few really great auditions and acting jobs, I joined the church, got engaged and married. But by the time those things happened New York City and I were old friends. We had been around the block and then some. When I first moved there I was in love... like head-over-heels, googly-eyed IN LOVE. I was twenty two, single, and living with my best girlfriend. I couldn't get enough of Times Square, Broadway marquis, shopping in SoHo, strolling through Central Park, and any other quintessential New York City must-do you can think of. Even standing in loooong lines for Broadway auditions seemed romantic. Then New York started showing me her true self. And oh, it was ugly. It was smelly, dirty, grimy, rude, old, broke-down. She tested me. "Do you still love me now?". She tore me down and built me up, and when I came up - boy, was I up! Stronger than ever. More confident, bolder, tougher, smarter, better. Just better. Because of her. Here is a little of what she taught me, I'd like to say in the first year, but it was probably more like the first month (because that's how fast you get to know her):

Don't be ashamed to have a good cry in public.

You don't always have to say I'm sorry.

You can fight for your money back.

How to finagle a good bargain.

How to find your way back from who-knows-where (name your favorite New York City burough) because you've been talking to your roommate on the subway instead of paying attention to which stop you're at.

No talking on the subway.

It's okay to work your butt off for what you love, even if that oftentimes means you feel like you're getting the &%$ kicked out you.
How to survive the craziest jobs, like temping on Wall Street, waiting tables in Manhattan, and coat checking at the Metropolitan Opera House (still one of my favorite jobs to this day).

How to find the cheapest seats on Broadway.

It's okay to date silly guys, especially those that wine and dine you all around New York, (just don't be surprised when you're doing the NYCPC over said silly guys - sometimes its inevitable).

How to pack and carry at least four different outfits (including shoes) from Astoria, Queens to anywhere Manhattan for auditions, dance class, work, because there's no way you're making it home before midnight.

How to hold your own in a fight with a NYC cabbie who's trying to take you the long way home.

How to ignore cat-calls, and umm... exhibitionists (I'll just leave it at that).

Speak up.
You can find your cell phone after leaving it in a New York City taxi cab.

Assume the best of people, including those who couldn't be more different from you.

How to be happiest with the smallest amount of things, in the tiniest apartment, with pennies in your bank account because you're in love - with life, your friends, yourself (including all bumps and bruises), and a lot of this made possible with help from your city.
Oh... and you can do ANYTHING.

After four years I did leave. That was the right decision for me, and I could write another love story about Los Angeles (even though that would be a way different story entirely). I have been lucky enough to visit New York at least once a year since I left, and dream of taking my kids there, and of all the adventures we'll have. I may not have been a lifer, but I am definitely a lover, and I think New York City knows that. She tests you when she meets you, but once she knows you're a lover (in spite of the good, bad and ugly) - she's yours. For life. And she lets you claim the title of New Yorker.

Magnolia

Do you have a cupcake craving and are wondering how to get your fix? And live in LA? Magnolia Bakery finally opens in Los Angeles tomorrow. Get all the delicious details here.

Everyone seems to have their favorite cupcake place. (In Studio City - thanks to my friend Emily - I love Big Sugar Bakeshop). I'm sure I'm biased because I used take the train to the West Village to get Magnolia cupcakes back in the "old days" before the cupcake craze began, but they are hands down, across the board the best. When Adam turned 30 I bought him 30 Magnolia Bakery cupcakes for his birthday. A couple friends and I got them all the way uptown to his party in Washington Heights. Last August when we were in Manhattan, we couldn't decide which flavor to get, so we just bought all these:

You will not regret a single bite or calorie. And make sure you get a vanilla with vanilla frosting. Mmmmmm. Deeeeelish!

Today

Here's a little of what we did today.

When I got out of the shower this morning, Audrey greeted me like this:

Handsome Tyler in his pjs ready for breakfast. We cut into the most delicious pineapple this morning. It's so sweet. Tropical yumminess.

Like that killer scratch under Tyler's right eye? Courtesy of you-know-who. My kids both pick on each other, but man - Audrey is tough, and Tyler is one patient big brother.

We played at Tyler's buddy's house - Matias. They're friends from preschool and take karate together. We played in their fantastic back yard, and splashed around in their little pool.

Tyler would always rather be out of the water, than in.

Here is Matias. This morning at breakfast Tyler said, "I love playing with Matias because he's my best friend.". It was the first time I've heard Tyler call anyone his best friend, and let me tell you Matias is a good pick. They play great together, and his family is super cool.

Here is the big pool Tyler and I have been hanging out at these past two weeks for swim lessons. The water is sooooo nice.

But again, the highlight of swim class for Tyler is when he gets to sit at the top of the bleachers and watch the kids in the class before us. The very top bleacher is a big hit.

Later this evening we'll be hitting Pinkberry's Happy Hour for half-off their new summer flavor, watermelon. Mmmmmm.

That's our day. How's yours going?

More Work

Just another day's work for Adam, running lines on the set of iCarly last Friday with Jane Lynch. From the texts he sent me, it seemed like the whole cast and crew was giddy she was there. I love these shots of Adam on set. He had a great time with her. Oh, I told him to ask if she remembered me from that one time I saw her at Trader Joe's. You know, the cute mom with the two kids falling out of the cart and running around after free samples? I'm sure she did, right?

Saturday Morning Smoothie

Throw all of the following into a blender:

One banana

1 cup frozen strawberries

1 scoop Kashi Go Lean vanilla protein powder

Lowfat (or nonfat) plain kefir. (If you haven't had kefir before it's kinda like drinkable yogurt).

One cap full of flax seed oil

Couple spoonfuls of wheat germ

A few ice cubes

Then pack it to the top with fresh spinach. Blend. Taste and adjust ingredients if needed. Voila. Breakfast for four.

Just Say Yes

This is my new parenting mantra. For example, we drive up to the pump at the gas station. Tyler asks, "Can I help you pump the gas?". We aren't in a major hurry, so I say "Yes.". Or, Audrey runs into the kitchen while I'm finishing up dinner prep. She asks, "Can I help you?". It's way easier (and faster) if I can just finish it up myself, but instead I say, "Yes.". Yes. I think I've been a bit of a No mom lately. Not sure why. Maybe it was a rut? Do you ever do that? Catch yourself saying no to your kids and wondering, "Why am I saying no?". Because I'm lazy. Because it's easier if I do it. Because their help slows me down. Because it's inconvenient. I'm guilty of all that at times for sure.

The theory goes if I say yes often enough, then when I have to say no - hopefully it will go well. Like if I try to say yes to the gas pumping, then if we are in a rush and I need to do it myself - Tyler is cool with that because he knows he'll be able to help next time. I think I have been squashing them a bit with the no's. Then they push against me for more freedom, throwing more fits, being rebellious, and I'm more stressed (and sometimes I'm the one creating that stress with the no's, so they've gotta go). Last night Audrey was in the bath and she said, "Put your feet in Mommy.". So I did... because I'm a yes mom right now. And it was cute because she thought it was really funny, and then she washed my feet.

Of course I don't mean I'll say yes to everything. But right now, if I can say yes - I'm gonna say yes. Because I'm tired of No Mom, and Yes Mom is way more fun, and (I've found) creative. After one whole week of trying out my Yes Mom theory, we've been fighting less, they've been doing more. We're all smiling more (most days), and they think they're more in charge and that is making them (and me) happier. And what is better than a house full of happier.

The Fourth

What did you do on the Fourth of July? Ours was filled with quintessential Independence Day stuff: Burgers, fireworks, and family. Weslie and Troy came over and helped us barbecue. How amazing do these burgers look? They were huge, and delicious.

All of us at the Warner Center fireworks show in Woodland Hills. Adam managed to find us a perfect spot.

Cutest couple award goes to my brother and sister-in-law, Troy & Weslie. (And thanks to Weslie I'm now on a search for my new bag, since I was kinda obsessed with her Coach Gallery Tote that she got on sale. It is a perfect balance of practical mommy bag/trendy non-mommy bag. Now I need to find a good sale like that. Thanks Weslie!).

It truly feels impossible sometimes to take a good photo of the four of us. I figure there are so many good shots of my kids on this blog that it was fine to post this one that is much better of me & Adam. The kids look pretty funny.

We had a great time with Weslie and Troy, and the fireworks show was fantastic. The kids loved the "oooo's and ahhhhh's". Tyler grilled us all on which colors were our favorites. Adam and I tucked our exhausted kids into bed and settled in to The Blind Side. It was just perfect. Today Adam didn't have to work so we spent the morning at the beach. (Re-cap of our beach morning is posted over on Amber's blog). Tonight is lazy - baths, laundry, movies, leftover barbecue dinner. We are enjoying the finale of our three day weekend.

Weekend Stuff

Have you seen Eclipse yet? Did you love it? I'm going Saturday. Not sure if it's sad that I'm looking forward to it so much, but when you love the books you just have to be pumped to see the movies.

My kids are really into watching Word World right now. It's pretty cute, especially if you have a preschooler (or older child) that's really into letters and spelling.

For the first time in a loooong time Adam has Saturday off! Not sure what we're doing. Definitely heading to the Calabasas farmers market in the morning, and Adam says he wants to put the kids to bed early and make a late dinner and dessert for the two of us. Sounds good to me.

I need a new bag. When I went through security on the way to Virginia my purse broke. (It was old and from Forever 21, so maybe it's surprising it lasted as long as it did). Do you have a bag you love? I want something practical but stylish that goes with everything. Does that sound too picky? And I don't mind spending a little money on it. Please, please gimme some suggestions so I don't have to keep carrying around my old LeSportsac.

And the necklace I loved with my kids name on it kinda busted during my trip. I want something new, but similar to the old. I'm pretty sure I'll be ordering one from The Vintage Pearl because I love everything they sell. I also like some of the stuff on the Dillon Rogers site, like the triple wrap leather charm bracelets. I'd love one with all four of our names on it. Do you have some personalized jewelry that you love?

And lastly, here's what we did at home this past week:

Painted with shaving cream and finger paints on the balcony. It got a little messy.

Made tunnels for trains out of old diaper boxes. Big hit.

Tyler took this photo. Proof that I've been practicing.

Modeled new hand-me-down boots from Clara.
And chewed some gum. It's Audrey's new thing. She always asks for a piece of my gum, and will really chew it. This piece she worked on for at least an hour.
Happy July 4th Weekend! Do you have fireworks plans? Pass those along, too, we are very undecided.

Day's Work

I like this photo of Adam on the set of Victorious. We don't get to see him do his dialogue coach thing - so it's cool to see him in action. And this is only one of the many hats he wears each week. I'm grateful he works so hard at what he loves. When you work this hard it has to pay off in the end, right?